"Every day is an opportunity to learn," said Harmanpreet Kaur as she set the tone for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

New Delhi [India], October 3: The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 officially commenced today with Captains' Day at the Dubai International Stadium, gathering all 10 team captains on the eve of the ninth edition of the tournament.

India's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, emphasized the ongoing learning journey in cricket, stating, "I think that's something we learn every day. When you win, you may feel a sense of achievement, but the next day, you might make minor mistakes. That's part of the game. Learning never stops; every day is a learning day. I'm continuously gaining experience from each game. The people around me are working hard to elevate our team to the level we aspire to reach. I'm pleased with the effort the team is putting in to achieve even small goals," she said, as quoted by ICC.

Australia's captain, Alyssa Healy, highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, noting, "There are 10 teams here today that deserve to be here and have a genuine chance at winning this World Cup. You don’t come to defend a title; that's not what a World Cup is about; you come to win it. Our pool is quite challenging. We have to get past many of these teams to lift the trophy, and it's a challenge we're looking forward to."

West Indies captain, Hayley Matthews, reflected on the extensive preparation leading up to the World Cup, saying, "You play all year long preparing for this moment, and it's the pinnacle of where you want to be as a team. Every series and training session is focused on the goal of a World Cup. It's been a long journey, but as a West Indies team, we’ve had our sights set on this for a long time. We're hoping for success."

Bangladesh's captain, Nigar Sultana, acknowledged the initial disappointment of the event's relocation from Bangladesh but remained hopeful. "It was disappointing at first, but we are professionals. Now that we are here, we are focused. I expect many spectators, especially since there are a lot of Bangladeshis in Sharjah. Playing in such an event, I believe more people will come to support us."

Scotland's captain, Kathryn Bryce, emphasized their competitive spirit, stating, "We just want to compete in this tournament. We've played fantastic cricket in the qualifiers, and we aim to do ourselves justice on the big stage with good performances."

England captain, Heather Knight, discussed the challenges and growth in her captaincy, saying, "Captaincy is a constant challenge. You're always learning, adapting, and growing. Over time, you learn to convey your messages in different ways, especially with the help of those around you. I've had several coaches, which helps keep things fresh. The team is always evolving, which keeps everything dynamic."

Pakistan captain, Fatima Sana, shared her approach to leadership: "I will try to enjoy myself, express myself, and back myself as captain. The management supports me, encouraging me to make bold decisions on the field. I aim to remain calm and make those decisions."

New Zealand captain, Sophie Devine, highlighted the progress in women's cricket, stating, "The growth in the women's game has been incredible, both on and off the field. You're now seeing bowlers consistently reaching speeds of 120 km/h and beyond, showcasing advancements in fitness and skills. We have some promising young fast bowlers whose development over the last 12-18 months has been remarkable."

South Africa captain, Laura Wolvaardt, discussed their focused approach: "Last year was great, but we're taking it one game at a time. We're in a tough pool, but hopefully, we can make it to the semi-finals, and from there, anything can happen. The team has undergone changes, but we've been well-organized, with new coaches and additional support. It feels great to have specific groups working on different areas."

Sri Lanka captain, Chamari Athapaththu, embraced their underdog status, stating, "We always come in with the underdog tag, so there's no pressure. I don't want to put pressure on my team either. We have a young squad with some seniors, and we've been playing great cricket over the past 16 months. This is a different format, so we'll start fresh and take it one game at a time."

The World Cup will feature 23 matches over 18 days in Dubai and Sharjah, aiming to entertain and inspire a new generation of cricket fans while serving as a transformative platform for women's cricket.

The opening match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup will take place in Sharjah, with hosts Bangladesh facing Scotland, followed by Pakistan against Sri Lanka.

This year, the ICC took a unique approach to the captains' photo, inviting each captain to individually showcase their excitement for the tournament against the striking backdrop of the Dubai Frame, a symbol of the UAE's landscape. The setting, blending the Emirate's iconic modern architecture with its desert heritage, reflects the cultural diversity of this World Cup edition.